50-year rigorous imprisonment for rape, grave sexual abuse of brother’s daughter

• Ordered to pay  Rs. 01Mn as compensation to the victim

By Upali Ananda   

An accused who stood indicted with rape and grave sexual  abuse of his younger brother’s ten-year-old daughter was found guilty  and sentenced to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment by Kandy High Court Judge  W. Darshika Wimalasiri. 

The judge sentenced the accused, who stood indicted under  three counts, for 20 years rigorous imprisonment under the first two  counts each and ten years rigorous imprisonment under the third, amounting  to an aggregate of 50 years. The judge ordered that the sentences be  served concurrently in 20 years.   

He was fined Rs.15,000 under each count and ordered to pay  Rs. 01 million as compensation to the victim and sentenced to a further  six months imprisonment in default of the fines and two years imprisonment  in default of the compensation payment   

The accused was a resident of Mahamulgama in Kandy and the elder brother of the victim’s father.   
The Attorney General had indicted him for rape and causing serious abnormal sex abuse.   
Delivering the sentence, the High Court Judge held that the  prosecution had established the charges against accused beyond  reasonable doubt to secure a conviction against him.   
State Counsel Tharaka Kodagoda prosecuted while Attorney at Law Jagath Peiris appeared for the accused.         

•   The Attorney General had indicted him for rape and causing serious abnormal sex abuse